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Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
_____________
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Seth Effron
Date: March 12, 2007 Phone: 919/733-5612
_____________
GOV. EASLEY ANNOUNCES 200 JOBS IN BUNCOMBE COUNTY
One North Carolina Fund Grant Helps Smiths Aerospace Expand in Asheville
RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today announced that Smiths Aerospace will expand its turbine engine components manufacturing facility in Buncombe County, creating 200 jobs and investing $16 million during the next three years. The announcement was made possible in part by a $400,000 One North Carolina Fund grant. This is the second expansion announced by the company in the past 18 months.
“Smiths’ decision to expand in Buncombe County enhances our position as a world leader in the aerospace industry,” Easley said. “When world-renowned companies such as Smiths Aerospace locate and grow here, it reinforces North Carolina’s reputation as First in Flight, which was established by Wright Brothers more than a century ago.”
London-based Smiths Aerospace is an international manufacturer and supplier of aircraft electronics, mechanical systems and engine components. The company has manufacturing facilities in Asheville and West Jefferson that now employ 387 workers. The jobs will be created at a new 90,000-square-foot manufacturing facility to expand the company’s Asheville operations. Wages for the new jobs will vary by function, but the average weekly wage will be $620 plus benefits, which exceeds the county wage standard of $539.
“We are pleased to grow our business in North Carolina for the second time in 18 months based upon a skilled and competitive work force with excellent community college training programs,” said Dale Collins, general manager of Smiths Aerospace Components - Asheville/West Jefferson. “This new facility will be adjacent to our existing site in Asheville and provides for the consistent flow of processes and best practices between the two operations.”
The One North Carolina Fund assists the state in industry recruitment and expansion by providing financial assistance through local governments to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. One North Carolina Fund grants are contingent upon a local match. Through the use of this Fund, more than 25,000 jobs and $3.5 billion in investment have been created since 2001.
Other partners who helped make this announcement possible include the N.C. Department of Commerce, the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and the Economic Development Coalition of Asheville-Buncombe County.
For more information about the company, visit www.smiths-aerospace.com. For employment opportunities, contact Smiths Aerospace Human Resources at 828-274-4540, ext. 2323 or apply in person.
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Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
_____________
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Seth Effron
Date: March 12, 2007 Phone: 919/733-5612
_____________
GOV. EASLEY ANNOUNCES 200 JOBS IN BUNCOMBE COUNTY
One North Carolina Fund Grant Helps Smiths Aerospace Expand in Asheville
RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today announced that Smiths Aerospace will expand its turbine engine components manufacturing facility in Buncombe County, creating 200 jobs and investing $16 million during the next three years. The announcement was made possible in part by a $400,000 One North Carolina Fund grant. This is the second expansion announced by the company in the past 18 months.
“Smiths’ decision to expand in Buncombe County enhances our position as a world leader in the aerospace industry,” Easley said. “When world-renowned companies such as Smiths Aerospace locate and grow here, it reinforces North Carolina’s reputation as First in Flight, which was established by Wright Brothers more than a century ago.”
London-based Smiths Aerospace is an international manufacturer and supplier of aircraft electronics, mechanical systems and engine components. The company has manufacturing facilities in Asheville and West Jefferson that now employ 387 workers. The jobs will be created at a new 90,000-square-foot manufacturing facility to expand the company’s Asheville operations. Wages for the new jobs will vary by function, but the average weekly wage will be $620 plus benefits, which exceeds the county wage standard of $539.
“We are pleased to grow our business in North Carolina for the second time in 18 months based upon a skilled and competitive work force with excellent community college training programs,” said Dale Collins, general manager of Smiths Aerospace Components - Asheville/West Jefferson. “This new facility will be adjacent to our existing site in Asheville and provides for the consistent flow of processes and best practices between the two operations.”
The One North Carolina Fund assists the state in industry recruitment and expansion by providing financial assistance through local governments to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. One North Carolina Fund grants are contingent upon a local match. Through the use of this Fund, more than 25,000 jobs and $3.5 billion in investment have been created since 2001.
Other partners who helped make this announcement possible include the N.C. Department of Commerce, the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and the Economic Development Coalition of Asheville-Buncombe County.
For more information about the company, visit www.smiths-aerospace.com. For employment opportunities, contact Smiths Aerospace Human Resources at 828-274-4540, ext. 2323 or apply in person.
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